Kuala lumpur: The government has announced that Recycling Facilities (FPS) will become mandatory in shopping malls as a requirement for the application and renewal of business premises licences under local authorities (PBT). This initiative will be implemented in phases starting this month.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) revealed in a statement that this decision was approved during a Cabinet meeting. The rollout will begin with an engagement phase and awareness programmes to encourage voluntary participation by shopping mall operators. This will be followed by a pilot project in selected PBTs to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation mechanism. Enforcement will eventually be conducted in stages, leading to mandatory compliance across all shopping malls nationwide.
KPKT emphasized that mandating FPS is a strategic government effort to improve national solid waste management, enhance public access to recycling facilities, and promote a sustainable circular economy. The proposal will be presented to the National Council for Local Government (MNKT) to ensure coordination and implementation at the state and PBT levels, addressing the challenge of over 39,000 tonnes of solid waste generated daily in Malaysia.
The statement highlighted the importance of a comprehensive approach to increase the national recycling rate, support the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) implementation, and decrease landfill dependency. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming remarked that this initiative underscores the MADANI Government's dedication to fostering a recycling culture and environmental sustainability among the public.
Nga noted that shopping malls, being frequently visited, provide strategic locations for recycling facilities, enabling the public to responsibly separate and drop off recyclable materials. This initiative aims to boost the national recycling rate, reduce landfill waste, and serve as a long-term investment in creating an environmentally conscious society that supports sustainable economic growth.
Additionally, KPKT stated that the initiative is expected to benefit communities, shopping mall operators, and PBTs by offering accessible facilities, improving recyclable material collection rates, and enhancing data management for recycling activities. The FPS will contribute to achieving the National Recycling Rate target, reinforcing urban solid waste management, and improving urban sustainability scores under the Malaysian Urban Indicators Network (MURNInets) system.
The public will have opportunities to generate economic value through trash-to-cash programmes by utilizing these recycling facilities. To ensure effective implementation, KPKT will collaborate with state governments, PBTs, shopping mall operators, and relevant ministries and agencies to establish clear, uniform guidelines for nationwide execution.
KPKT urges all stakeholders, including state governments, PBTs, shopping mall operators, the private sector, and the community, to work collectively to ensure the success of this initiative, aligning with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI and the nation's sustainable development agenda.